deep lingual vein

The deep lingual vein is a vein that drains blood from the deeper tissues of the tongue and contributes to the lingual vein, which carries blood away from the tongue region.

The deep lingual vein is located within the muscular body of the tongue, running alongside the deep lingual artery before joining the lingual vein near the root of the tongue.

The deep lingual vein is involved in draining deoxygenated blood from the intrinsic and extrinsic tongue muscles, returning it to the lingual and then the internal jugular venous system.

Deep tongue infections (Ludwig's angina), tongue carcinoma, or vascular anomalies of the tongue such as hemangiomas may be associated with involvement of the deep lingual vein.

The deep lingual vein may be assessed through MRI or CT of the oral cavity and tongue, Doppler ultrasound when accessible, or during surgical procedures involving the tongue or floor of mouth.